Bugiri Municipality lawmaker Hon. Asuman Basalirwa has opened up on why he opted to court the speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among, in order to be in her good books and avoid any likely squabbles with her.
According to Basalirwa who was interviewed by one of the leading newspapers, Parliament is not a platform for political activism but rather, a lobbying forum that all lawmakers must take advantage of.
The JEEMA president intimates that for one to succeed in Parliament and be granted time to present ideas on the floor, that MP must be in good terms with the speaker of Parliament Anita Among. Basalirwa dissents from the stand of some defiant MPs like Zaake Francis Butebi whose ideology is allegedly ‘extremist’ in nature.
“We all come here for service delivery,” Basalirwa says. “If you want the views of your people worked upon then don’t clash with the speaker,” he adds.
The same approach has been adopted by NUP MPs under the G-20 force headed by the leader of opposition Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba. All NUP MPs in the G-20 are of the diplomatic school of thought which is why they are very keen on what they say before the media.
Meanwhile a source in the office of the speaker says Basalirwa’s relationship with Among is all about the law and constitutionalism. The source says it is Basalirwa who mentors Among and teaches her matters concerning the law and the rules of procedure. However in return according to the source, Basalirwa is given hordes of opportunities including financial and travel allowances.
